This is How to Grow a Bleeding Heart Plant, According to an Expert
Bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) have some of the most striking flowers of any spring-blooming plant.
Long strings of puffy, heart-shaped blooms—in shades from white, to pink, to red—dangle off arching stems. Each flower has two outer petals and two inner petals. A stamen protrudes below, creating a stunning show when bleeding heart is in bloom.
These cousins to poppy flowers are native to Asia, thrive in cooler climates, and prefer the shade. Most varieties are ephemeral, meaning they go dormant when temperatures get too warm in the summer.
They are ideal for shady spots, cottage or woodland gardens, and can be used as a border.
The foliage resembles ferns and is split into three leaflets. Plant them alongside flowers that bloom or thrive in the summer so you're less likely to notice a gap in your garden space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
If you live between USDA Hardiness Zones 3 and 9, you can add bleeding hearts to your garden. (Find your zone here. Remember that the zone map was updated in 2023 and your zone may have changed.)
Bleeding Heart Basic Info
Common names: Bleeding Heart, Lyre Flower, Lady-in-a-Bath
Botanical name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis (previously Dicentra spectabilis)
Plant family: Papaveraceae
Plant Type: Perennial
Toxicity: Toxic to animals and humans
Sun exposure: Partial to full shade
Soil type: Moist and well-drained
Preferred Soil/PH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time: Spring
Native areas: Asia
Colors: Red, pink, white
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Are Bleeding Heart Toxic?
In a word, yes.
According to the North Carolina Extension, the plant is poisonous if ingested. Bleeding Heart contains isoquinoline alkaloids, which affect many animals, including dogs, sheep and cattle, per the Pet Poison Helpline. If your pets tend to eat your garden plants, consider including bleeding hearts only in fenced-off portions of your garden design, in elevated areas that are impossible for your pet to reach, or exclude it altogether.
Bleeding Heart Care
Light
These plants prefer partial to full shade. They can manage with morning sunlight and afternoon shade in many geographical locations.
"The right variety for your location is key," says Justin Hancock, Costa Farms Horticulturist. "Old-fashioned bleeding heart (the largest type) is pretty adaptable, requiring just a shaded or partially shaded spot and moist, well-draining soil."
Soil
Bleeding heart thrives in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with plenty of organic matter. The soil should be moist but never soggy, as this can lead to root rot.
Temperature
These plants prefer cooler climates. Most prefer partial to full shade but those growing in geographical regions with cool temperatures can manage in full sun. Keeping the soil moist is key to their happiness. "If you live in a hot or dry climate, a liberal layer of organic mulch over the soil can also help keep the roots cool and moist—which helps promote healthy foliage and flowering," says Hancock.
There are hybrid and native species. "Both of the North American native fern-leaf species tend to do better in cooler summers than in hotter summers," says Hancock.
Water
Bleeding heart likes moist soil—not too dry and not too wet. Dry soil can lead to wilting. Overwatering can create waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot.
Do You Need to Fertilize Bleeding Hearts?
"If you have average or above-average soil, bleeding hearts won’t need to be fertilized," says Hancock. "In general, good soils provide the nutrition they need.
"If your soil is below average, then fertilization may be helpful," says Hancock. He recommends conducting a soil test to know what the soil is lacking. Soil tests can be done through local extension offices for a nominal fee. (Find your local extension here.)
Here's what to know about fertilizer numbers and letters.
If you feel the need to fertilize, he says, you can use a general-purpose fertilizer. "Bleeding heart doesn’t need anything special or specific in terms of fertilizer," he adds.
The best time to fertilize is in early spring as the plant is beginning to grow, says Hancock. "You don’t need to fertilize after the flowers fade because, in most climates, the plant will start towards summer dormancy," Hancock says. "The fern-leaf types can be fertilized through the spring and early summer if desired."
When to Plant Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts can be planted in late fall or at the beginning of spring. Sow seeds or transplant divisions. (Read more on dividing plants, below.) Growing from seeds can take a few years so be patient.
When the weather warms up, the foliage begins to turn yellow as it prepares for a dormancy period in the summer. "The hotter your summer climate, the more likely this species is to go dormant by midsummer," says Hancock.
Make sure to consider what you plant near bleeding heart. When they go dormant it may leave some empty spaces in your garden. Grow other plants that thrive in the summer to keep the garden looking lush. "Pairing it with plants that will fill in after it goes to sleep helps keep your shade garden looking its best," says Hancock.
Pruning Bleeding Heart
This plant doesn't need to be pruned, saving you time and one less gardening task you don't have to put on your list.
How to Propagate Bleeding Heart, Two Meethods
Method One: From Seed
"The easiest way to grow bleeding heart is from fresh seeds," says Hancock. Plants that are pollinated will typically produce hanging seed pods, he says. "Harvest seeds from a grown plant when they turn brown and plant them either directly in the garden—they often need cold temperatures, so don’t expect them to sprout until spring— or in pots that you store in a refrigerator for six weeks or so," says Hancock.
Be prepared to wait a while for flowers when growing them from seed, howeverd. According to Hancock, "Old-fashioned bleeding heart generally takes 2 to 3 years to bloom from seed."
Method Two: Dividing
Dividing your bleeding heart is another option, although it's more time-consuming, and is done in the fall. To do this, Hancock says, "dig the plant and separate off sections. Or, dig around the plant and dig out sections, being careful not to pull the mother plant out of the ground."
Because this method is labor intensive and risks harming the mother plant, Hancock recommends propagating by seed rather than division. "Personally, I find seed the easiest because it’s much less work than digging the plant out of the ground," he says, "And [there's] less risk of damaging the main plant if it’s already gone dormant."
Can You Grow Bleeding Heart In Containers?
Bleeding hearts usually go dormant in the summer. If you're growing them in a pot, you'll likely want to grow bleeding heart with other plants so the pot doesn't look empty during the dormant period. "To be honest, if you’re growing an old-fashioned bleeding heart, I don’t recommend growing it in pots," says Hancock.
"You’re left with an empty pot or you need to carefully plant companions with it in a way that ensures you don’t damage the main plant." He suggests using pots only if you don't have another space to grow them since they tend to go dormant in the summer.
How to Repot Bleeding Heart
If you only have space for a container garden or don't mind empty-looking pots while bleeding heart is dormant, then pots are an option.
If you purchase a bleeding heart from the garden center or nursery, make sure to transplant it in a container slightly larger than the current pot. "I’d start with a pot about 4 to 6 inches wider than the one it came in," says Hancock.
You'll know it's time to upgrade to a new container when it gets cozy in the pot. "Then repot as it starts to fill that container," he adds.
These plants grow tall and wide so you'll likely need to repot every couple of years. "It can get fairly large—about 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall over the years, so repotting every year or two can be helpful," says Hancock.
Consider growing a native species that is adapted to your geographical zone. Some varieties won't go dormant if the weather stays relatively cool. "The native fern-leaf species stay a little smaller and are less likely to go dormant if you keep them moist," says Hancock, "And don’t live in a hot-summer area so they can be better suited to container culture."
Common Bleeding Heart Pests and Diseases
These plants aren't usually affected by any diseases making them a hearty and easy plant to grow in the garden. "Old-fashioned bleeding heart is largely resistant to disease, " says Hancock.
Although these plants don't have many pests, aphids can bother this plant. Check the leaves for aphids to prevent an infestation. Sometimes slugs like to munch on the leaves so be prudent.
Troubleshooting Bleeding Heart
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves typically appear after the plant has flowered and an increase in temperatures. Although many plants will produce yellowing leaves as an indicator that something isn't right, bleeding heart will produce yellow foliage when it's preparing to go dormant.
According to Hancock, "If the plant has already bloomed, temperatures are on the rise in your area, and the foliage has started to yellow, you can just cut the plant back to the ground since it’s starting to go dormant anyway."
Wilting Leaves
These plants like moist, well-draining soil. If you tend to neglect them, such as forgetting to water, they'll wilt. Avoid overwatering bleeding heart as saturated soil that doesn't drain well or stays soggy can lead to root rot.
"Check moisture levels before watering as wet, soggy soil can also cause root damage that leads to wilt," says Hancock. Sometimes where it's planted can be an issue—so check to see if the soil drains well or not. "If you find out the spot you plant it in stays wet, replanting it someplace with better drainage can be super helpful," he adds.
Types of Bleeding Heart
Here are some common bleeding heart cultivars.
Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart': This is the largest, typically reaching up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. This variety is native to Japan. The foliage is green to greenish yellow and flowers are typically pink with white inner petals.
Jacky Parker Photography - Getty Images
Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Alba': This cultivar has white heart-shaped flowers and can manage better in the summer heat.
Lamprocapnos spectabilis 'Gold Heart': This cultivar is smaller than the Old-Fashioned culivar, reaching around 2 feet at maturity. It has green to golden-colored leaves with pink blooms.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Are bleeding hearts easy to grow?
Bleeding hearts are easy to grow plants as long as their basic care needs are met. Grow them in the shade and in areas where temperatures aren't too hot.
Where is the best place to plant a bleeding heart?
Bleeding heart plants prefer the shade. Plant bleeding hearts in an area of the garden that receives full to partial shade. They can handle some morning sunlight but make sure it gets afternoon shade.
What is the best fertilizer for a bleeding heart plant?
When bleeding hearts are grown in quality soil, they typically don't need fertilizer. If you find that the soil is below average or lacks nutrients, you can use a general all-purpose fertilizer.
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